This newsletter provides an overview of OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support initiative and highlights one project supported by this initiative: the That’s Risky social marketing campaign. This campaign’s main objective was to increase awareness that smoking and exposure to

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has grown exponentially and the use of waterpipes is on the rise, especially among youth and young adults. Concerns surround initiation of these products among youth and young adults, and the relationship of these products to tobacco cigar

Despite declining prevalence of smoking in Ontario in the last few decades, rates of smoking cessation have not increased significantly in the last few years. OTRU will conduct Research on Advancing Cessation Treatment (REACT) to study the urgent need to improve cessation outco

Of the more than 7000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, nicotine is one of the most widely assessed. Nicotine has been identified as the primary substance in tobacco that causes addiction and, as such, the main substance driving use of tobacco products. For many years, most of the ha

This newsletter focuses on the results from the RECIG Expert Panel, an international and multidisciplinary meeting with experts in tobacco control. Key conclusions from the Expert Panel relate to the health effects of e-cigarettes, their effectiveness as a cessation aid and potential

This newsletter focuses on the results from the health effects and patterns of use knowledge syntheses, analysis of Ontario survey data as well as preliminary results of the Adult Longitudinal Panel 6-month follow-up survey.

The majority of smokers begin smoking in their teens or early twenties. Raising the legal age of access to tobacco to age 21 has the potential to impact positively on future smoking prevalence and health outcomes. This update outlines reasons to consider raising the minimum age, rev

Public debate abounds about e-cigarettes, their promotion, sale and use; concerns over youth uptake; the potential for renormalization of smoking; their effectiveness as a cessation aid; and their health impacts. OTRU, in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental H

This update reviews current bans under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and concludes that protection from secondhand smoke in Ontario is comparable to that of other Canadian jurisdictions, except for those with a complete ban on smoking on open patios. The update provides a summary

Waterpipe (hookah) use is increasing globally. This update reviews recent data that provide an indication of level of use in Canada, summarizes evidence suggesting that waterpipe smoke is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke and points to serious health risks associated with re

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition to causing heart disease, cancer and premature death in nonsmoking adults, secondhand premature death in nonsmoking adults, secondhand smoke also causes sudden infant death syndrome, asthma and ear infections i

Based on a comprehensive review of all available evidence, including important recent evidence, the report of the Canadian Expert Panel on Tobacco Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk concludes that there is now enough scientific evidence to link both active smoking and secondhand smok

Tobacco smoke is one of the few modifiable risks for breast cancer and it impacts many women. Young women in particular, should understand that available evidence suggests that the relationship between breast cancer and both active smoking and SHS is consistent with causality.

In order to enhance our understanding of the relationship between breast cancer and tobacco smoke, an international Expert Panel met in November 2008 under the auspices of the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. The Panel brought together leading experts from Canada and the United S

There is now enough scientific evidence to link both active smoking and second-hand smoke to breast cancer, according to an international panel convened by the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. Related Publications: Canadian Expert Panel on Tobacco Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk

Most nonsmokers in Canada and the United States are protected from secondhand smoke exposure at work and in indoor public places, but many are still exposed to smoke entering their homes from neighbouring dwellings, shared indoor spaces, ventilation systems, and through windows

There is growing discussion about tobacco product modification as a way to reduce the health risks to tobacco users and nonusers exposed to tobacco products. This Special Report discusses potential impacts of changes in tobacco product ingredients and emissions on population he

Smokeless tobacco provides nicotine to users through absorption across the membranes of the mouth or nose. Two main forms of smokeless tobacco are used in North America: chewing tobacco and oral snuff. Over two dozen cancer-causing agents have been identified in traditional smo

Tobacco use poses a significant economic burden to the people of Ontario, both in terms of direct costs such as health care, and indirect costs related to productivity losses resulting from disability and premature death. Recently, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA),

This report reviews current knowledge about the health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. It discusses the inadequacy of ventilation options for providing protection from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Finally, the current status of legislative protection

This update summarizes the main findings of the “Q2000” survey, a population-based telephone survey undertaken in Ontario in 2000. Respondents were asked about: smoking behaviours, purchasing practices, knowledge of health effects of active and passive smoking, atti

About OTRU

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU) is a Canadian leader in tobacco control research, monitoring and evaluation, teaching and training, and is a respected source of science-based information on tobacco control. We also apply our skills to other areas of public health.